By Erick Nyayiera
Education stakeholders in Siaya County have praised the 100% transition policy noting that its success will revitalize the Kenyan economy to greater heights.
Speaking during a forum to analyze performance of primary schools in Rarieda Sub County, the stakeholders, led by an Education expert at the Agha- Khan University Mary Anyango Oluga, noted that the 100% transition policy protects Kenyan children against academic discrimination.
“The 100% transition policy compounded in the Competency Based Curriculum welcomes children with different abilities and talents to be able to reach their epitome and eke a living out of their abilities,” she noted.
She noted that the previous system historically condemned thousands of Kenyan children especially those from the underprivileged parts of our society just because they didn’t obtain certain marks to transit to secondary schools.
“Experience has taught us that a child needs to be given a fair chance to proceed to the next level to be able to exploit their potential to the fullest,” she said.
Oluga highlighted that there are many children who scored even 190 marks in KCPE but ended up scoring B+ in KCSE.
She noted that many public schools have glaring challenges of teacher shortages, poor infrastructure and poverty among other challenges.
“While we acknowledge the enormous input of the government towards education in public schools, we still believe the government should put more efforts in employing teachers. Teachers are obviously stressed having to attend to many learners at once,” she stated.
She said that private schools have been praised for good performance yet the schools enroll few candidates just to make good mean scores.
While analyzing the situation at Tanga Primary in Rarieda in Siaya County, she appealed for help to improve the school’s infrastructure.
Tanga Primary School posted good results in the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams despite lacking classrooms, learning materials and teachers.
“The candidates sat their exams in very poor states but they have shown that they can do better when supported,” said Oluga while donating learning materials to the pupils.
Tanga Primary School head teacher George Midega said the school registered 76 candidates in 2021 KCPE exams with 27 candidates scoring 300 marks and above.
Midega attributed the school’s success to dedicated teachers and support of the parents.
